I've got a stock 2003 F-350 w/ 7.3 psd. At some point in time I will want to get more air into this sucker. It seems that folks either love or hate the K&N systems. So, what's your take? And, if not K&N, which system do you recommend?

By means of clarification, I am referring to a total air intake system to replace the stock box, not a drop-in air filter>

Thanks!

I recomend aFe, they used to work fo K&N and went on their own. They are on the cutting edge with new products. The quality of their seals on their trailer is what first caught my attension. Click on the aFe logo links on http://mrtruck.com and http://hemitruckclub.com for install reviews. We will be reviewing a new cold air intake boxes using Amsiol filters soon.

THANKS, Kent. So, do you recommend the entire air induction system, or can I buy the aFe filter only? I am a bit confused.

If I were to get the entire system, would I then need to strongly consider a 4" exhaust system to let the extra air OUT?

Hi, You can just but a replacement filter, but the cold air intake will give you the most boost in power and mpg. The three basics for power is the air, exhaust and programer. The programer downloader like Superchips or module like Edge will give you the most bang for the buck. But if you use the performance mode on those programers, you will creat dangeruous heat. If you want to run a programer at the high setting you will need a cold air intake which is a new air box, filter and the tube that connects to the intake or throttle body. This creats the highest flow of air. Diesels take 18,000 gallons of air to one gallon of fuel. And then getting a bigger full flow exhaust is needed to get rid of the hot air faster. The safe way is to get the cia first, exhaust second and programer third. But all this isn't going to double your mpg. You might get 4 mpg out of all of it. A programmer by itself in a mid setting could get you 2 mpg. But all those accessories are like paying for the diesel engine option, it takes a lot of miles for them to repay their cost.

I am considering the Edge EVO II and using just the first, or tow, setting. Not looking for a real huge boost of power, but primarily a little more power with better shift points and a tighter lockup by tranny at each shift. If I keep the power to that setting, I may not need the CAI. Do you agree with this?

BTW, the reason for all this is not so much for better fuel mileage as to EGT down and tow safer.

You have a bullet proof engine, the 7.3L. You can do just about anything. Edge has the most power from what I've see. It would be dangerous on the 6.0L. Add a programer will raise the egt's you are adding more fuel equals more heat. The CAI and 4" exhaust will help lower that extra heat. In the low settings it won't raise egt dramaticly. So you may want to get the Edge juice with attitude so you will have egt gauge. That's what I'm doing which is backword, adding egt guage last. But with the low settings you may be fine. If you see alot of black smoke after you add Edge, you are overfueling before boost and may be in a high setting. Your plan's not bad. Edge or Superchips will firm up your shifts and increase line pressure. Ford lowered line pressure in the 4R110 in 99 to make it shift like a car, so increasing line pressure, allowing the torque converter to lockup more often will help with towing.

I DID get the EDGE EVO II. When it works, it is great. I had custom tunes put on it and they are very good for my application. Here's the rub, though. The OBD II cable provided with the unit is defective. Sometimes all is well. Other days, I start the truck and the unit will not come on. Or, it comes on but fails to register EGT on the readout. Upon investigation, I have discovered that the incidence of defective cables is not all that rare. But, EDGE's customer service is much more defective than the cable! You likely have filters to prevent me from telling how I really feel about it! Buyer beware.

Sorry to hear that, Superchips has the best customer service I've seen so far. I just had my round with Verizon after switching from Vonage. Customer service is hard to find and when you do find someone who is good at it, next time you call they are gone. We all end up concentrating too much on the sale, especially during slow times like now.